Shelving with a drop leaf, drawer and pullout tray

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for providing a work site and for storing and displaying various objects. The apparatus comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members and a pair of vertically disposed side members disposed at each end of the plurality of individual shelf members for engagement with the individual shelf members. There is a means engageable with the pair of side members and with the individual shelf members for securing the pair of side members to the plurality of individual shelf members. The apparatus also has a drop leaf hingedly engageable with one of a preselected individual shelf member and one of the side members for providing additional work area and for closing an opening formed between the pair of side members and a first preselected pair of shelf members. There is a drawer having a front member, a back member, a bottom member and a pair of side members for occupying an opening provided between the pair of side members and a second preselected pair of shelf members.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a shelving unit, and, more specifically the present invention relates to a shelving unit that has a drop leaf on the front of the shelving unit, a drawer and a pullout tray.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various types of shelving or storage systems have been known and used for many years. These prior art systems include units wherein a plurality of shelves are disposed on vertical supports so as to provide a relatively large storage area for a small amount of floor space.

The units may vary from being individual stackable units which can mount on top of one another so as to provide a variety of units to meet the individual needs to simple shelving units such as basic bookcases with open fronts and backs. Thus, the user has a variety of options in choosing units for his particular needs. There is always a need for units which provide different attachments or configurations so as to broaden the available options for individuals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an apparatus for providing a work site and for storing and displaying various objects such as books, plants, decorative items and the like. The apparatus comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members and a pair of vertically disposed side members disposed at each end of the plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members for engagement with the horizontally disposed individual shelf members. There is a means engageable with the pair of vertically disposed side members and with the horizontally disposed individual shelf members for securing the pair of vertically disposed side members to the plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members. The apparatus also has a drop leaf hingedly engageable with one of a preselected individual shelf member and one of the vertically disposed side members for providing additional work area and for closing an opening formed between the pair of vertically disposed side members and a first preselected pair of horizontally disposed shelf members. There is a drawer having a front member, a back member, a bottom member and a pair of side members for occupying an opening provided between the pair of vertically disposed side members and a second preselected pair of horizontally disposed shelf members.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a shelving unit which has a hinged drop leaf.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a shelving unit in which has a pullout drawer.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a shelving unit in which the drop leaf is disposed to open in the front of the shelving.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a shelving unit which has a slideable pull out tray.

These and various other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the front of a shelving unit according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view looking at the shelving unit seen in FIG. 1 showing the drop leaf, pull out tray and drawer in the open position.

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view looking at the shelving unit seen in FIG. 1 showing the drop leaf, pull out tray and drawer in the open position according to an alternate embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.

The present invention provides a variety of embodiments in a single unit. An embodiment provides an apparatus, generally designated 10, for providing a work site and for storing and displaying various objects such as books, plants, decorative items and the like. The apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members 2 and a pair of vertically disposed side members 4. The pair of vertically disposed side members 4 are disposed at each end of the plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members 2 for engagement with the individual shelf members 2. There is a means, generally designated 20, engageable with the pair of vertically disposed side members 4 and with the horizontally disposed individual shelf members 2 for securing the pair of vertically disposed side members 4 to the plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members 2. Such means 20 is selected from one of bolts pins and screws. It is presently preferred that such means 20 is screws.

The apparatus further includes a drop leaf 6 hingedly engageable with one of a preselected individual shelf member 2 and one of the vertically disposed side members 4 for providing additional work area and for closing an opening 7 formed between the pair of vertically disposed side members 4 and a first preselected pair of horizontally disposed shelf members 2.

The drop leaf 6 of such apparatus 10 further includes an arm 24 engageable with the drop leaf 6 and at least one of the side members 4 for preventing the drop leaf 6 from moving past a horizontal position. Such arm 24 is held in place by bracket 26 attached to one of the side members 4. Such bracket 26 allows the arm 24 to retract inside the opening 7 when the drop leaf 6 is in a closed position and preventing the arm 24 from moving past a position where the drop leaf is in a horizontal position.

There is further a means 30 for securing the drop leaf in a closed position. It is preferred that such means 30 includes one of a magnetic closure 28 and a snap clip 29. It is presently preferred that such means 30 is a magnet closure 28. A first portion of such magnetic closure 28 is disposed on the inner portion of such drop leaf 6 while a second portion of such magnetic closure is disposed on the underside of such top shelf 2. Similarly, a first portion of such snap clip 29 is disposed on the inner portion of such drop leaf 6 while a second portion of such snap clip 29 is disposed on the underside of such top shelf 2.

The apparatus 10 includes a drawer 8 having a front member 12, a back member 14, a bottom member 16 and a pair of side members 18 for occupying an opening provided between the pair of vertically disposed side members 4 and a second preselected pair of horizontally disposed shelf members 2.

Such apparatus 10 further includes a pullout tray 22. The pullout tray 22 includes a guide member 23 having a first portion thereof disposed on each outer side edge of the pullout tray 22 for mating engagement with a second portion of the guide member 23 thereof disposed on an inner portion of the pair of vertically disposed side members 4 at a preselected location for permitting such pullout tray 22 to have sliding engagement with such apparatus 10. The slide out tray 22 provides additional desk space.

While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention has been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims. 

1. An apparatus for providing a work site and for storing and displaying various objects such as books, plants, decorative items and the like, said apparatus comprising: (a) a plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members; (b) a pair of vertically disposed side members disposed at each end of said plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members for engagement with said horizontally disposed individual shelf members; (c) a means engageable with said pair of vertically disposed side members and with said horizontally disposed individual shelf members for securing said pair of vertically disposed side members to said plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members; (d) a drop leaf hingedly engageable with one of a preselected individual shelf member and one of said vertically disposed side members for providing additional work area and for closing an opening formed between said pair of vertically disposed side members and a first preselected pair of horizontally disposed shelf members; and (e) a drawer having a front member, a back member, a bottom member and a pair of side members for occupying an opening provided between said pair of vertically disposed side members and a second preselected pair of horizontally disposed shelf members.
 2. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes a pullout tray, said pullout tray slidingly engageable with said pair of vertically disposed side members at a preselected location for providing additional desk space.
 3. The apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said apparatus further includes a guide member 23 having a first portion thereof disposed on each outer edge side edge of said pullout tray for mating engagement with a second portion of said guide member thereof disposed on an inner portion of said pair of vertically disposed side members.
 4. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said drop leaf further includes an arm engageable with said drop leaf and at least one of said side members for preventing said drop leaf from moving past a horizontal position.
 5. The apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said arm engageable with said drop leaf and at least one of said side members further includes a bracket disposed on at least one of said side members for retaining said arm and allowing said arm to retract inside said opening when said drop leaf is in said closed position and preventing said arm from extending beyond a preselected position.
 6. The apparatus, according to claim 5, wherein said preselected position is a position wherein said drop leaf is in a horizontal position.
 7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said drop leaf further includes a means for securing said drop leaf in a closed position.
 8. The apparatus, according to claim 7, wherein said means for securing said drop leaf in said closed position includes one of a magnet closure and a snap clip.
 9. The apparatus, according to claim 8, wherein said means for securing said drop leaf in said closed position is a magnet closure.
 10. The apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said means for securing said pair of vertically disposed side members to said plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members includes at least one of pegs, bolts and screws.
 11. The apparatus, according to claim 10, wherein said means for securing said pair of vertically disposed side members to said plurality of horizontally disposed individual shelf members is screws. 